Abstract
Most men do not fear death, as death is considered as inescapable. Most men are afraid of severe disability, invalidity, dependence on others and loss of social competence. In the western world, stroke is the leading cause of such terrible scenarios. 250.000 men suffer from acute stroke each year in Germany. Despite manifold advances in knowledge of the disease and promising therapies and new approaches of therapy, there is still enough room for substantial improvement. The pressingness and threat of stroke is still commonly underestimated. Therapy options in prevention and in acute treatment are not utilised. The Competence Network Stroke (www.schloganfallnetz.de) works on improvement of the care of patient with acute stroke.
